Baptized Again

By

Shelby G. Floyd

While Paul was beginning his third evangelist tour, Apollos came to Ephesus. The Bible tells us several things about his character and abilities as a preacher of the word. (1) He was a learned man; (2) He had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures; (3) He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; (4) He spoke with great fervor; and, (5) He taught about Jesus accurately. These things were all positive and good. However, there was one negative—he knew only the baptism of John. This means that he baptized people into John’s baptism (Acts 18:24-26). The problem was that the baptism proclaimed by John the Baptist was no longer valid after the day of Pentecost and the inauguration of the kingdom of heaven—the church.

Paul left Aquila and Priscilla at Ephesus when he returned to Antioch in Syria, thus ending his second tour. Unlike some, Aquila and Priscilla did not publicly correct him and humiliate him. They took him aside and “taught him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26).

When Paul arrived at Ephesus, he found twelve men who were disciples. They had not received the Holy Spirit because they had been baptized into John’s baptism. After the great commission was given, John’s baptism was not any longer in force. Therefore, Paul “baptized them into the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5).

People need to be baptized again if any or all of the following are not true. (1) Who should be baptized—a penitent believer, not an infant or small child? (2) What is the action of baptism? It is an immersion, not sprinkling or pouring some water on someone. (3) What is the purpose of baptism? It is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). It is not because one is saved and then wants to be baptized. If any or all of these are not true m your life, you need to be baptized again into the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20). Copyright © 2011 Shelby Floyd, All Rights Reserved